Council discusses maintaining a balanced ratio between holidaymakers and permanent residents in the Macleay

Councillor Mark Baxter first put forward a motion at the meeting for council to prepare a Local Environment Plan and a Development Control Plan that specifies the development requirements for holiday accommodation and permanent housing at Crescent Head.

"We want to avoid what has happened at Byron Bay and avoid the mistakes that were made," he said.

"We should be encouraging permanent residents and maintain a ratio between holiday rentals and permanent residents."

Cr Baxter amended his original motion that will now see council await State led framework before moving forward.

"A sound understanding of the characteristics of holiday accommodation in our villages and towns is necessary to develop an effective planning response," general manager Craig Milburn said.

"Staff will be investigating this issue as part of the ongoing Strategic Planning Program, taking into account any State Government direction in terms of standardised definitions and model Local Environmental Plan clauses.

"Following this strategic planning work, the Local Environmental Plan and Development Control Plan will be calibrated accordingly."

Cr Baxter said he hopes this will allow the ratio of tourists and residents to remain at a healthy balance.

"At the moment the ratio is 25 per cent tourists, we want to keep it as is and not let it get out of hand," he said.

"If tourist accommodation continues to rise as a ratio to permanent residences, then the village will have its soul challenged.

"We're not against tourists, we just don't want it to get to the point where we have more holidaymakers than residents in places like Crescent Head.

"When the State Government gives us the framework for a plan, then we can move forward."

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